SISKIYOU COUNTY – Most young children believe that their parents have all the answers. Jim Kelley, the father of 2- and 9-year-olds, says this cannot be further from the truth, and he believes that parents from all backgrounds could benefit from evidence-based, supportive parenting education classes.

Kelley participated in a free, 12-week parenting education class offered by the Siskiyou Parenting Hub Project through the Siskiyou Community Services Council. He said the knowledge and support he gained was invaluable.

“It was completely different than I thought it was going to be,” he commented. “I thought it was going to be boring, but it was very interesting. It was a community atmosphere. Our group bonded and we shared personal stories. We all learned a lot.”

Kelley is one of 98 parents who participated in a parenting education class series last year.

The program is made possible by a three-year grant allocated in annual $90,000 allotments from Ford Family Foundation and administered through the Oregon Community Foundation.

The Community Services Council was recently approved to receive its second round of funding for the Siskiyou Parenting Hub Project, and program coordinators say this community service is enriching the community on the whole by offering support to families and enhancing parenting skills.

The seven to 12-week evening parenting education classes are offered throughout the year at each family resource center in the county and are facilitated by licensed counselors. The curriculum is based on Dr. Stephen Bavolek’s Nurturing Parenting philosophy and is aimed at parents of children up to 6 years old. Free childcare is offered during classes, and the childcare workers have each received training in the “Nurturing” philosophy.

Karen Pautz, project director, said the goal is to teach parents that they must nurture themselves in order to nurture their children. This plants the seeds for empathy. The series is intended to teach parents about setting appropriate expectations for their children, the importance of being a good role model and alternatives to corporal punishment.

Pautz noted that the classes include a nutrition education component, and each class begins with a free, catered, homemade meal that class participants enjoy in a family-style atmosphere. Naturally, children receiving childcare during the classes are also provided with a free dinner.

“There is a common misconception that parenting classes are for parents who have a record of harming their children,” said Pautz, adding that the classes are voluntary and there is a separate class for those mandated by the court to undergo parent education courses. “A lot of parents think going to a class is a sign of weakness.”

However, Kelley described the classes as “a resource to help people and make the community a better place.”

Page 2 of 2 - Michelle O’Gorman, Yreka Community Resource Center executive director, pointed out that parental tactics that work for one child may not work for another, and the classes give parents tools to respond effectively to their children’s unique needs.

Kelley said he was inspired when he began to see improvements in his relationship with his children after he altered his parenting style based on the knowledge he gained. In addition, he formed friendships among his group, and he intends to participate in the next parenting class series.

The support that class participants receive both from their facilitator and one another also improves self-esteem, observed Yreka Community Resource Center Americorps family support worker Florrine Super.

“They build a support system, and we are seeing that they are getting more involved in the community,” she said.

She noted that one parenting class participant has begun volunteering, and she is among many who have begun attending other activities offered at the resource center.

Pautz said the goal is to saturate the county with the “Nurturing” philosophy by building connections with local schools and others who work with children, so young people are cared for in a consistent, supportive environment. She asserts that this will set the foundation for them to grow into responsible citizens.

“This program is very exciting for a number of reasons,” said Community Services Council executive director Jill Phillips. “It shows how we can all come together as a county and provide exemplary programs for our citizens.”

The next parenting class series will be held at the Hub Communities Family Resource Center in Montague. The class will begin on Sept. 4 and will be held every Wednesday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. until Nov. 7.

In addition to the parenting class series, the Siskiyou Parenting Hub Project offers parent workshops, parent support activities and family activities.

The grant also provides funding for professional development workshops aimed at deepening agency workers’ knowledge of evidence-based family service practices.